Trump Administration Shields Musk from Courtroom Testimony in DOGE-USAID Shutdown Case

Here’s what just went down: Trump’s DOJ is pulling every legal lever to keep Elon from testifying about allegedly dismantling USAID while advising the president.

The Lawsuit: What You Need to Know

Former USAID employees and contractors are suing Elon and others, claiming they unconstitutionally shut down the foreign aid agency through mass firings and grant cancellations. The kicker? Elon’s February tweet became Exhibit A: “We spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper.” That single post is now being used as evidence that he did way more than just “advise”—he actively directed the demolition.

The Legal Standoff

The DOJ argues Elon held no formal policy-making power, just informal counsel to Trump. But plaintiffs counter: if he wasn’t a confirmed official, how could he wield this kind of influence? They’re claiming he exercised “unconstitutional power” while evading Senate confirmation requirements.

The judge already rejected DOJ’s bid to kill the entire lawsuit in August. Now the administration is blocking depositions on grounds of executive privilege and presidential separation-of-powers.

Why This Matters

The case hinges on one question: Does Elon’s White House access, public actions, and his own admissions override legal protections for close presidential advisers? The answer could reshape how courts treat powerful figures operating in gray zones between advising and governing.

Bonus: Trump’s team is also shielding Amy Gleason (DOGE’s administrator) from testifying in a separate public records case that’s still grinding through courts.